Re: Tales of the Rune-Tech Sage Chapter 651: Scorching Divine Dragon

Witnessing this turn of events, the remaining hostile combatants abandoned any lingering hope of triumphing over the Dravo tribe barbarian. Panic set in, and they turned tail, retreating towards the settlement’s core. Similar scenes played out across the town as the Lost Heathens consolidated their defenses, pulling back toward the central stronghold – the two-story building. Havel, Kavakan, and Mogal advanced along the main street leading to the structure, halting several tens of meters shy of the enemy’s newly established defensive line, opting to pause their forward momentum for the moment. One by one, the rest of the Fortuna Company began to reconvene. First arrived the Fury Knights, followed by Silver. Shortly thereafter, the crossbowmen appeared in successive waves, securing positions behind the primary line. Moments later, a large contingent of wolves surged into the area, dispersing and nearly encircling the Lost Heathens’ defensive formation, making it starkly evident that escape would not be an easy feat without a fierce struggle. Fen descended from a nearby rooftop, landing with grace before the Fortuna line. With composed, deliberate steps, he moved forward and took his place beside them, his very presence emanating a quiet authority. Then, Queen Senu made her appearance. She hovered high above the town’s center, her form casting a regal silhouette against the nocturnal sky. As she commanded the airspace, no creature dared to take flight in her imposing presence. A subtle unease rippled through the Lost Heathens’ ranks as they observed the formidable force arrayed before them – the very group that had single-handedly decimated their stronghold. Even with the Fortuna Company standing in stoic silence, none of the defenders dared to initiate hostilities. "Skreee!!!" The herald’s piercing cry cut through the night, heralding the arrival of her master. In the ensuing moments, Alex emerged, walking ahead from behind his formation, accompanied by his wives, with Sugud and Kron Belloc following closely in their wake. He lifted his gaze and surveyed the scene ahead. Through his Spirit Sight, he discerned the remaining enemy signatures – approximately a couple hundred individuals clustered behind their defensive perimeter. Even he felt a brief surge of surprise. A force numbering about twenty had reduced a stronghold of nearly a thousand to a mere fraction of its original strength. This was a direct consequence of the Stele trials, alongside the party’s subsequent growth and advancements, now vividly manifest before their eyes. There was no disputing it – the core members of the Fortuna Company had attained a significantly greater level of power. Alex subtly clenched his fist, then eased it out of view. 'Let's not celebrate prematurely. There remains an immense capacity for further improvement,' he impressed upon himself. This served as both a caution and a solemn reminder. Ultimately, within the grander scheme of existent powers, the Lost Heathens qualified simply as a bandit faction – no different from common brigands in the perspective of the true powers that wielded influence in this world. And those powers… they represented the genuine rivals to Alex and Fortuna – not insignificant rabble like these adversaries. Shaking his head slightly, Alex was about to advance when his perception intensified. One of the energy signatures situated within the Lost Heathens’ rear guard – the most substantial one – suddenly pulsed with intense power. 'So, you can no longer remain passive, can you?' A sorcerer within the back ranks had commenced the casting of a spell. A fiery, serpentine dragon materialized into existence, ascending into the sky above the Lost Heathens’ formation. Its incandescent body writhed with potent fury, its expression a mirror of the caster’s rage as it fixed its gaze upon the Fortuna Company. In the subsequent instant, it lunged forward – charging directly towards their assembled ranks. Zora shifted, poised to intercept— —but Alex raised an arm. "Stop." His composed voice resonated across the entire battlefield. [Spell Interception]! Concurrently, OmniRune analyzed the spell’s intricate structure via Alex’s perception, rapidly devising a counter-strategy and seizing command of the inbound attack. The flaming dragon abruptly halted – suspended in mid-air just before the Fortuna line. "What?!" The sorcerer positioned in the back ranks recoiled, overcome with shock and astonishment. "How is that conceivable? What have you done?! Who are you?!" he demanded. "Who am I?" Alex’s voice echoed once more. The Fortuna formation smoothly parted, revealing two orderly lines. Alex stepped forward between them, his wives flanking him closely. With his hands calmly clasped behind his back, and the intercepted Flame Dragon spell hovering ominously overhead, Alex advanced to the very forefront. "My name is Alex Fury—Leader of the Fortuna Company," he declared with resonant finality. Ripples of profound shock coursed through the Lost Heathens’ defensive ranks. They recognized the name. After all, their commander, Brock Peyton, had already condemned this group to destruction. Yet, never—not even in their most extreme imaginings—had they conceived that the Fortuna Company possessed such overwhelming might, capable of decimating their stronghold with such a minuscule contingent.

Alex's declaration echoed again, his tone as frigid and resolute as ever.

"I have arrived to accept your complete and utter surrender."

"Those who disarm themselves shall be spared. For those who refuse... only death awaits."

A fleeting expression of astonishment crossed the faces of the Fortuna Company members, though not a single soul betrayed this reaction outwardly.

"Make your choice now. Will it be surrender... or will it be your demise?"

Alex's pronouncement settled upon the Lost Heathens' rear guard like an unseen burden, crushing them with its suffocating intensity.

A beat later—

"I… I will surrend—"

Some among them began to waver, their resolve crumbling as they prepared to cast aside their weapons.

However, their words were tragically cut short before they could be fully uttered.

A sudden chaos erupted within the Lost Heathens’ formation as those ready to yield clashed violently with the stubborn few determined to fight until their last breath.

The Fortuna Company observed this unfolding scene in contemplative silence.

Many among them cast sidelong glances at Alex, a hint of admiration in their eyes, supposing he had expertly sown dissension within the enemy's ranks merely through a few carefully chosen words.

’A silver tongue, indeed.’

The moniker Zora had bestowed upon him surfaced unbidden in their minds.

Whether this chaotic outcome had been his deliberate intention or a mere consequence, only Alex knew for certain.

Even as pandemonium bloomed before him, he uttered no command. His gaze simply bore witness.

Moments thereafter, the tumult gradually subsided.

The hardliners had ultimately asserted their dominance.

The voice of the Lost Heathens’ sorcerer boomed across the expanse of the battlefield.

"The Lost Heathens do not surrender! We shall not be intimidated by a mere handful of weaklings! We possess the advantage in sheer numbers—"

His aura flared, surging with volatile power.

"—and in overwhelming might!"

The presence of a Fourth Circle sorcerer—a formidable rank comparable to a Great Mage or a seasoned Combat Master—declared itself, bearing down upon the bewildered field.

"We refuse to be defeated!"

"HAAA!!!"

A thunderous war cry answered his declaration, resonating from the remaining contingent of Lost Heathens.

"It appears you have opted for defiance," Alex remarked with composed tranquility, observing the archers as they drew and nocked their arrows.

He then raised his hand, forming a gesture akin to pointing a firearm, directing it towards the enemy's front line.

Only at this juncture did the true reason for his preceding stillness become unequivocally clear.

A spell formation materialized overhead. It seamlessly integrated with the hovering Flame Dragon spell. Mana flowed abundantly through the newly formed array, meticulously refining and reshaping the conjured flame dragon into a distinct and far more intricate entity.

The armless, serpentine construct contorted and underwent a profound transformation—its form expanding and morphing fluidly—until it ultimately evolved into a magnificent, solar-elemental five-clawed golden eastern dragon, exuding a potent, regal aura and the searing heat synonymous with the sun itself.

Precisely at that critical juncture, the Lost Heathen archers unleashed their volleys of arrows.

While mimicking a shooting motion with a subtle flick of his wrist, Alex spoke—his voice slicing through the cacophony of the battlefield, silencing all other sounds.

"Scorching Divine Dragon."

Roar!

The resplendent golden dragon surged forth with unstoppable momentum.

Every single arrow launched towards the Fortuna Company was annihilated, reduced to mere ash before it could even graze their formations, incinerated by the immense heat and raw power radiating from the awe-inspiring construct.

The dragon descended upon the Lost Heathens’ defensive perimeter.

[Iron Dome Shield]!

The sorcerer, in a desperate bid, hastily erected a barrier, attempting to withstand the onslaught.

For a fleeting, fragile moment—

Crack!

Shatter!

The shield held firm. For a span.

Then, it was irrevocably broken.

Roar!

With sheer, unyielding force, the divine dragon tore through the now-shattered barrier and plunged directly into the heart of the enemy ranks.

Boom!

***